Several officials of the tourism industry have gathered and discussed on creating a tourism marketing plan after a break of two years.

Tourism industry officials including travel operators, companies and some resort owners gathered at Nasandhura Palace Hotel for a meeting organized by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Company (MMPRC) to discuss on the plan.

Briefing about the meeting attended by more than 40 parties from the industry, MMPRC Acting Managing Director Mohamed ‘Mode’ Adam said that the purpose of the meeting is to collectively create an industry marketing plan for the upcoming year.

“The meeting will be focused on marketing functions. We haven’t had discussions at this level for the past two years. The purpose of this meeting is to increase industry involvement and to collect the feedback,” Mohamed said.

A private travel agency participant at the meeting, Capital Travel Agency Managing Director Yusuf Riffath said that the sit-down is a very important meeting to the entire industry.

“Creating marketing plans for tourists coming to Maldives in forecasted areas is very important. Finding out the current attributes within the internet medium and gathering their thoughts are important from the meeting as well,” Riffath said.

Managing Director of another travel agency Grand Holidays, Ibrahim Nazim said that there has been an increase in the negative image of the tourism industry and that it needs to be changed to a “positive” image.

“We will try to increase the repeaters in this workshop. One reason being the high cost of bringing in new clients, but if we can bring in repeaters, the expenses will be lower,” Nizam said.

One and Only Reethi Rah Resort Sale and Marketing Director Scott Le Roi said that it is a huge accomplishment that the tourism industry officials had met at such a time.

“We are all trying to promote the tourism industry in association with the ministry. This is important for the Maldivian tourism industry. People from all around the globe, work in the Maldives. If all these people get together and work, success can be achieved,” Le Roi said.